France Championships of cyclo cross Ladies to Manosque, on January 9th, 2000.

LEBOUCHER OPENS THE PRIZE LIST

Laurence Leboucher liked a lot to take away the first Championships of France of cyclo cross Ladies. She made it without trembling for the honor to open the prize list and the delicacy to dedicate her victory to the memory of her friend Pascale Ranucci.

  The first Championships of France of cyclo cross Ladies of the history began with an intense moment of emotion. Before dashing, the participants and the public respected one minute of silence in homage to Pascale Ranucci, the national trainer of feminine died from the consequences of a traffic accident the day before Christmas. It is then the father of Pascale who gave the departure of a crystal clear test. Before even half a first tour, the girls who had dominated both stages of the Challenge Cycle France of cyclo-cross already dictated the train. And in the order, Laurence Leboucher, number 1 preceding Sandra Temporelli, number 2, and Nadia Triquet, number 3. This order was not going to vary until the arrival, the distances racking itself even in the course of tours. Behind on the other hand, the fight knew new developments and if Maryline Salvetat occupied for a long time the 4th place, she had to give up it in the bearer final of the number 4, Sonia Rochet.

UNCONQUERED IN CYCLO CROSS

 There was thus no surprise to Manosque. And Leboucher explained it easily: " I like to dig quickly a distance with my opponents and I made the pressure during the first 15 minutes. " Then, she did not have more than to manage on a course that she appreciated. " Seen my size, " boards were a little bit high but stay everything was indeed " explained she before having a thought for Pascale Ranucci. " I dedicate her my victory. It was a friend and we had settled meeting here even. We had run together and some time ago we had visited our former team member Cécile Odin, who settled down in Zimbabwe. " Then returning on her running, the Norman reminded that she knows the cyclo cross for a long time. Her prize list indeed shows 9 regional titles in the speciality... " Before this season, I had worked however never the specific technique of the cyclo cross.  I made a little that untidy (sic). This winter on the other hand, she put the video in contribution to progress in this domain. At the age of 27, Laurence Leboucher who, of all his career, has never known the defeat cyclo cross, dream to prolong this lease till the end of the month. She will compete then for the first World championships Ladies of the speciality where she will distrust quite particularly the competition of the Dutchwomen who will evolve at home.

WITHOUT SURPRISE

To Manosque, having balanced for a long time the exchanges in about fifty metres of Leboucher, Sandra Temporelli lost foot at one go. Victim of a fall, Parisian did not lose for all that its usual smile. " I slid of the heel in passing a board, but it's not serious. That even well made laugh everybody. " It is necessary to say that this year, Sandra approached the cyclo-cross in any looseness. " I have a lot to learn. The fact of integrating the structure ESP motivated me. I was able to progress technically, notably in the way of jumping of cycle. But that was not enough. I had prepared this running specifically and I had come with the envy to win. Now, the cyclo-cross, it is finished for this year. I said it since the beginning of the season, World championships have never constituted an objective. From tomorrow, I dedicate myself again totally to the MOUNTAIN BIKE and I shall participate in the training of the team of France of cross-country at the end of the month in Gets. I do not wish to modify my preparation at the beginning of Olympic year. "

 Nadia Triquet on the other hand is partante. Her running left her nevertheless a reserved feeling. " I had come to make a podium, explained she. But it seems to me that I was in better shape the last week. I also had many difficulties surmounting the emotion provoked by the minute of silence of honoring to Pascale Ranucci. But anyway, Sandra was stronger than me. It deceived in the pedal. " Three favourites in the first three places, the first Championships of France of cyclo cross Ladies did not reserve particular surprise, but they call it of numerous other.

From Henri Montulet
La France Cycliste